GUS POYET remains confident Sunderland will make more signings before the end of the transfer window despite their ongoing pursuit of Fabio Borini still being no nearer to a successful resolution.

With two more weeks until the transfer deadline, the Black Cats' squad still looks short of options in both defence and attack.

Yesterday's 2-2 draw with West Brom showcased plenty of skill and spirit, but it was alarming to see the Black Cats without a single defensive player on the bench and having to name Danny Graham among the substitutes despite the striker having been on loan at Hull and Middlesbrough last season.

There is an obvious need for another centre-half before the end of the month, and Sunderland could do with at least one more attacking player, regardless of whether Borini eventually signs or not.

Poyet steadfastly refuses to give up on his pursuit of Borini, even though all the indications from Merseyside are that the Italian does not want to return to the North-East unless all other options are exhausted, and the Uruguayan is confident Sunderland will complete more business before the end of the month.

Poyet said: "We will do that (sign more players). There are still a few areas we are working on. It’s no secret, we are trying."

While Sunderland's strikers failed to find the target at the Hawthorns, both Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson opened their accounts for the season with fine strikes.

Last season, the duo managed just two Premier League goals between them in the whole of that campaign, so they have matched that tally in the space of just 90 minutes this time around.

Poyet said: "Seb was a key player last year, especially in the run-in, and he looked very good in pre-season, very fit. He showed that with his run and finish in the 85th minute.

It took him 30-odd games to score a goal last year, but this season it has taken him only 85 minutes. That’s great for us because we need goals from midfield.

The strikers normally get all the credit, but it was also nice for Lee to get a great goal and to celebrate. It was a great strike and I am very pleased for him."

Poyet's major post-match frustration was the controversial decision from referee Neil Swarbrick to award a first-half penalty for the slightest of tugs on Victor Anichebe.

Valentin Roberge was the Sunderland defender adjudged to have fouled Anichebe, but while there was contact between the two players, it was extremely minimal.

Poyet said: “If you were watching the game, you would have seen it clearly. But I’m not going to get in trouble because it is simple.

"Sometimes we discuss a decision from a referee and then we need to explain or we get in trouble, but this one is so simple that it is not worth it.

“I tried (to discuss it with the referee) but it is difficult. We had different opinions."